what is a philosophy course in college about

A philosophy major is a humanities degree path that will challenge students to examine questions with no right answers. As they become familiar with notable thinkers and diverse worldviews, majors will learn to think critically, identify and evaluate arguments and engage in moral and ethical reasoning.

Full Answer

What are philosophy courses like in college?

• metaphysics and epistemology
• value theory
• science, logic, and mathematics
• history of philosophy
• philosophical tradition

Why philosophy is a basic subject in college?

• Philo = love; sophia = wisdom. The love of wisdom or the love of truth.
• Metaphysics ('after-physics': the books found after Aristotle’s books of Physics). The investigation of the underlying nature and structure of reality as a whole.
• Epistemology (Episteme = knowledge; logos = explanation of). ...
• Ethics (from ethikos). ...
• Logic (logos = explanation

What are philosophy courses good for?

• Critical Thinking
• Philosophy of Love and Sexuality
• Philosophy Through Science Fiction
• Philosophy of Religion
• Philosophy of Science
• Philosophy of Human Nature
• Existentialism
• Political Philosophy
• Philosophy of Law
• Environmental Ethics

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What do you learn in a philosophy class?

• Logic. Required logic courses cover different types of logic. ...
• Ancient Philosophy. Courses in ancient philosophy typically focus on thinking, starting with the ancient Greeks until the closing of the classical period.
• Modern Philosophy. ...
• Ethics. ...
• Metaphysics. ...
• Reasoning. ...
• Epistemology. ...

What do you learn in philosophy in college?

Research and Analysis Methods Through reading, writing, and dialogue, philosophy teaches students how to analyze and interpret texts, concepts, and the reasoning of others. You'll learn how to frame hypotheses and put problems into manageable form.

What do you expect in philosophy class?

Students will discuss, think deeply about, read about, and write about questions concerning God's existence, the existence of the soul, the nature of free will, the process of science, the meaning of the law, the nature of language, the existence of art and morality.

Is philosophy a good course to take in college?

Career Opportunities Philosophy is the ultimate "transferable work skill." With its emphasis on reason and argumentation, philosophy is an excellent preparation for a career in law, religion, business, international diplomacy, social work, medical management or writing as well as post-graduate education.

Is philosophy in college difficult?

Readings for philosophy courses are generally not long, but they are difficult and challenging. You cannot expect to go through an assigned reading once and have an adequate grasp of it. Some students seem to thrive on the painstaking study required, while others simply don't have the patience for it.

Does philosophy have math?

Of course, mathematics is most clearly applicable to philosophy where it intersects with the mathematically hard sciences, like physics. Much in physics, for example, depends upon clearly understanding the scope, power, and impact of Noether's (first) theorem, named for Emmy Noether.

Is philosophy a difficult task Why?

Philosophy is Hard Because of Intangibility The subject matter of philosophy, as far as we are concerned, revolves around something intangible. Thought cannot be touched nor smelt, seen nor grasped.

What jobs can philosophy get you?

These highly critical, analytical, and argumentative skills that are developed often lead students to pursue legal studies, MBA programs, or seminaries. Jobs for philosophy majors include a lawyer, systems analyst, cultural affairs officer, technical writer, and a critic.

Is philosophy hard to understand?

Reading Philosophy is a difficult task, especially coming to uni with little or no background in the subject. Reading lists can look long and daunting, vocabulary can be confusing and it seems to take ages to understand even the smallest part of a chapter.

How should a beginner study philosophy?

How to Learn Philosophy Without Going to ClassRead the books “A History of Western Philosophy” by Bertrand Russell or “The Story of Philosophy” by Will Durant. ... Listen to bite-sized audio courses on Listenable. ... Take bite-sized courses on philosophy on Highbrow. ... Use Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy.More items...•

How do you survive a philosophy class?

LecturesStop the professor often with questions. Philosophy is all about dialogue.Write down new vocab words and look them up before the next class.Talk with fellow students after class. Maybe you were both confused about the same thing; or maybe they can help.Be patient with yourself.

Is there a lot of writing in philosophy?

Tests in philosophy require you to explain concepts in a clear and concise manner rather than to simply regurgitate information. Philosophers do not write research papers but instead write argument papers and this too can be a daunting task for those students that are unfamiliar with it.

How long does it take to study philosophy?

in philosophy can take between six and 10 years, depending on the program of study, and whether a student's dissertation has been defended, which is a requirement for graduation in virtually every Ph.

What is philosophy course?

An introductory philosophy course that concentrates on concepts and issues, such as the nature of value, duty, right and wrong, the good life, human rights, social justice, and applications to selected problems of personal and social behavior. Topics may include liberty and its limitations, civil disobedience, abortion, affirmative action, capital punishment, terrorism and the morality of war, animal rights and environmental ethics.

What is philosophy introduction?

An introduction to philosophy through topics found in classical and contemporary philosophical writings, such as the nature of truth and knowledge, mind and body, freedom and determinism, right and wrong, and the existence of God. Course content varies from instructor to instructor. Specific course descriptions will be available in the department prior to registration.

What is materialism in psychology?

Materialism, rather than solving the problem of mind, consciousness and intentionality , has spawned numerous philosophical perplexities. This course will examine a variety of philosophical problems associated with contemporary models of the mind (mind/body dualism; mind/brain identity theories; behaviorism; functionalism and artificial intelligence; eliminative naturalism and folk psychology; biological naturalism). The course will also look at contemporary philosophical accounts of personhood and personal identity, particularly narrative accounts of the self. Readings will typically include David Chalmers, Daniel Dennett, Owen Flanagan, Derek Parfit, Marya Schechtman, John Searle, Galen Strawson, and Kathleen Wilkes.

What is the meaning of the understanding of human existence?

For those thinkers whose work is associated with the philosophical tradition of existentialism, the understanding of human existence represents a singular gateway to the understanding of being, the general object of the study of metaphysics.

What are the principles of critical thinking?

This course introduces and explores the main principles and methods of Critical Thinking: distinguishing between good and bad arguments; identifying common fallacies; developing strong and persuasive arguments; the difference between deductive and inductive reasoning; constructing logical proofs; the nature of scientific, moral, and legal reasoning; evaluating polls and statistical hypotheses; understanding probability; deciding how to act under uncertainty. Students will apply these principles and methods to numerous academic and 'everyday' contexts, including journals, the print press, blogs, political rhetoric, advertising and documentaries. We will regularly reflect upon more broadly philosophical matters related to Critical Thinking - such as the nature of truth and objectivity and the distinction between science and pseudo-science - and examine a number of intriguing philosophical paradoxes. Students will improve their skills in writing clear and compelling argumentative papers and critically analyzing the writings of others. Course work includes reading, class discussion, regular homework assignments, quizzes, and short argumentative essays.#N#Frequency: Every year.

What are the influences of American philosophy?

Is there a distinct American worldview, or merely a confluence of intellectual traditions originating beyond and before the USA? This course explores the diverse intellectual strains that have contributed to the development of American philosophy in the last three centuries, including influences that have been somewhat neglected: the American Indian thought of Arthur Parker and Zit Kala Za (Gertie Bonnin); the puritan theology of Jonathan Edwards; the political theory of Thomas Paine and Thomas Jefferson; the African American philosophy of W.E.B. DuBois and Alain Locke; the transcendentalism of R. W. Emerson and H.D. Thoreau; the 'classical' pragmatism of C.S. Peirce and William James; the 'radical' pragmatism of John Dewey and Jane Adams. Special attention will be given to American conceptions of justice, freedom, democracy, religiosity, nature, pragmatism, progress and self-reliance.

Who are the major philosophers of ancient Greece?

A study of major philosophers of ancient Greece, Rome and the medieval period, including the Pre-Socratics, Plato, Aristotle, Epicurus, the Stoics, Augustine, Anselm, and Aquinas.

What are higher level courses in philosophy?

Often such higher level courses focus on one particular area of philosophy. I took courses in Continental Rationalism, British Empiricism, and Existentialism while an undergraduate .

Who were the philosophers in class?

In class, the philosophers were typically discussed were Plato and Aristotle (for the first few weeks), Karl Popper (almost all year), Rudolf Carnap (one week), David Hume (one week), Ludwig von Wittgenstein (a few weeks) and Thomas Kuhn (also a few weeks).

What is the difference between analytic and continental philosophy?

To the extent that the distinction makes sense at all, the former tend to involve much more emphasis on logical precision and linguistic analysis, while the latter tend to involve "heavier," sweeping ideas that often have more direct connection to everyday life experiences.

What is the difference between upper and lower division philosophy?

I think the lower-division courses tend to focus more on the understanding of content ("getting it") and less on the interaction with the content ("doing it"). The upper-division courses tend to reverse this trend, which is good at least in the sense that at this point, you are dealing primarily with philosophy majors. For better and/or worse, philosophy courses tend to be lecture-heavy at the lower-division level and gradually more discus

Does philosophy matter a lot?

As far as philosophy is concerned, for those for whom it matters, it matters a lot, and for those who don't get it, it matters very little.

Is philosophy lecture heavy?

For better and/or worse, philosophy courses tend to be lecture-heavy at the lower-division level and gradually more discussion-heavy at the upper-division level.

Should I take a philosophy course?

If you are in the position of thinking about taking a course in philosophy I would strongly encourage you to do so. They can be opportunities to open the door to a great deal of insight and learning about not only philosophy but also many other subjects.

What Is a Philosophy Major?

A philosophy major is a humanities degree path that will challenge students to examine questions with no right answers. As they become familiar with notable thinkers and diverse worldviews, majors will learn to think critically, identify and evaluate arguments and engage in moral and ethical reasoning. Students can learn both contemporary and historical philosophy, and they will develop the reading and analysis tools necessary to understand philosophical writings from across periods.

Is philosophy a good major?

If you are interested in grappling with hard questions and examining diverse views while considering your own beliefs, philosophy might be the right major for you. Studying philosophy can be relevant to your academic and personal development, since classes may prompt you to not only think critically about the course material but also your own principles. You can also find a place in the major if your interests range beyond philosophy, as classes connect to disciplines from computing and mathematics to art history.

What is the history of photography?

The history of photography is the recount of inventions, scientific discoveries and technical improvements that allowed human beings to capture an image on a photosensitive surface for the first time, using light and certain chemical elements that react with it.

Is philosophy class an easy A?

If there's a philosophy class on that list, you should have selected it right off the bat. No it's not an easy A, no it's not a hippie new age crapshoot, no it's probably not going to count for more than anything but elective, but it will impact you more than 99% of your other classes.

Is philosophy a no brainer?

As a political science major, a philosophy class seemed like a no-brainer, especially a logic class as I prepare for law school, but entering my first philosophy class I had no idea that it would be the most important class I'd ever take.

What is the curriculum for a philosophy major?

What Is the Course Curriculum for a Philosophy Major? The course curriculum for a philosophy major covers all the important areas of philosophy. Students, who are philosophy majors, may study logic, ancient philosophy, modern philosophy, ethics, reasoning, metaphysics and epistemology as part of their course curriculum. View Schools.

What is modern philosophy?

Modern Philosophy. The curriculum of a course in modern philosophy covers thinkers during the Enlightenment age, along with those of the critical, empiricist and rationalist traditions. Students study the ideas of morality, human knowledge and freedom through the works of Descartes, Spinoza, Locke, Hume and Bacon.

What is the purpose of metaphysics?

Metaphysics. Metaphysics explores the relationships between different aspects of the natural world, causation between different things and the unchanging nature of others. The curriculum covers possibility and necessity, the nature of causation, the nature of events and the idea of existence. Students study such metaphysical ideas as freedom, ...

What is logic class?

Logic courses also typically cover the basic laws of reasoning and common logical fallacies by using examples in reasoning.

What are the major philosophers studied in the ancient world?

Students study all the major ancient philosophers, including Stoics, Epicureans, Skeptics and the pre-Socratics, along with Socrates, Plato, Aristotle and other noted Hellenistic philosophers. Problems considered may include the self and reality.

What are the ethical issues in philosophy?

Students look at the ethical issues surrounding just punishment, freedom, civil disobedience, justice, distributive justice, community, rights and the relationship between law and morality. They may go on to consider current and tradition theories of freedom, duty, happiness, evil, good, wrong, right and value.

What do students study in a deductive logic class?

Students study inductive and deductive logic. They also look at methods used to determine the reliability of both types of arguments. The course goes on to consider arguments composition, arguments informal evaluation and scientific thinking.

Why do colleges require philosophy?

The reason for this is because most people do not know what philosophers do or what to expect when studying philosophy. It is not until their first philosophy course that students realize they have an interest in the field.

What is the most rigorous course in philosophy?

Most philosophy departments require students in their final semester to complete a capstone course which focuses on a particular philosophy or philosopher, in-depth, and is often considered to be the most rigorous course offered by the department. Students do more than just write during their philosophy degree.

What should international students expect from a philosophy school?

International students studying philosophy in the US should expect to be welcomed into the conversation . Philosophy is a discipline that studies the writing of philosophers from all over the world, both ancient and contemporary. Students who can read other languages and who bring in new and creative perspectives to classroom conversation are likely to excel. Professors are likely to welcome new sets of questions and insights brought to the school by international students. Most schools will offer tutoring and other assistance to students for whom English is a second language. Although international students will be expected to write, discourse and think with as much rigor and excellence as all of the other students, they will be welcomed and provided with as much assistance as necessary for their success, given the student is willing to work hard.

What are the requirements for a philosophy degree?

Most US schools providing philosophy degrees require that the student complete a set of core philosophy classes and choose a series of electives from a large offering of various philosophy electives. Most schools will require that the student complete all major courses with a "C" or better and those courses will likely include ancient philosophy, modern philosophy, symbolic logic, metaphysics and ethics. Depending on the department's leanings, the student may be required to study a foreign language, philosophy of mind or epistemology. The school may also offer tracks in which students focus their elective choices on, like ethics, philosophy of social science, philosophy of law, or logic.

How long does it take to become a philosophy major?

In the US, the philosophy major is usually a four-year major. Although the degree will likely take four years to finish, it is common for philosophy departments to encourage undergraduate philosophy majors to pursue a second major. Philosophy is often an excellent degree field in which to dual major because although the courses are rigorous, ...

What grade do you need to get a philosophy minor?

Most minors in most US schools require that the student complete, with a grade of a "C" or higher, at least five upper level courses in the department offering the minor. The minor courses are alongside the courses for the student's major. It is generally wise to choose a minor that will assist the student in applying his or her philosophy degree ...

Do philosophy classes require a final paper?

Most philosophy courses are structured so students will be required to produce at least one large paper at the end of the course. It is not unusual for the students to be required to produce both a mid-course paper and a final paper. Some philosophy courses also require that the students pass exams throughout the course.